The balance sheet continues to deteriorate the victims of a landslide occurred in the northwest of Colombia, which left at least 25 injured and 34 dead, most of them children. The landslide hit one very busy street which connects the city of Medellín with Quibdó.
The landslide in Colombia
The number of deaths and injuries after a mudslide continues to rise hit dozens of vehicles in a mountainous regionFriday, January 12, on a road that connects the cities of Quibdó and Medellín.
According to local newspapers they would be at least 34 victims, mostly childrenfrom the mudslide that hit a busy road in northwestern Colombia, in the Chocó department.
By some users
On the same street, near the community of Carmen de Atrato, many people got out of their vehicles “take refuge in a house,” but it was buried by the landslide. There would still be people trapped underground.
The landslide was filmed with smartphones
A video released on Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said in a tweet that his government would make sure of it the necessary support in what he called a “terrible tragedy.”
Due to bad weather and previous landslides, many people (predominantly women and children) had sought refuge both in the house, which was then submerged in mud, and near an intersection, locked in their cars.
The country's vice president, Francia Márquez Mina, said aid organizations, local authorities, the police and the army were affected All are used to support search and rescue operations in Choco Province.
Looking for survivors
The risk management unit did not provide any information What could have caused the landslide?, but the Defense Ministry reported Friday evening that there had been rain in the area, making rescue operations difficult. Dozens of people have been taken to hospital as excavations continue in search of survivors.
This may interest you: Landslide on Valsugana state road 47 in Valbrenta: rocks fall on the asphalt, railway closed
The new death toll was reported Saturday by the Chocó governor's office, where a unified command post was set up to coordinate search and rescue operations. According to the press release, 17 bodies were identifiedand authorities are trying to identify 17 others.
The tragedy is currently shaking the South American country go through a period of drought. Nevertheless, the country's Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies has already warned of the danger posed by heavy rains in areas bordering the Pacific and the Amazon rainforest.
Photo source: ANSA